Mark Ray returns to Woodbridge Town

Woodbridge Town Football Club is delighted to announce the signing of Mark Ray, on a deal until the end of the season.

The 32-year-old forward joins us on a short-term deal - with the option of extending - at the Homestyle UK Ground and will join up with Chris Rogers' squad ahead of our Friday evening fixture against Kirkley & Pakefield.

"I'm looking forward to being back playing at that level and seeing some old faces around the club both on the pitch and off it," Ray said, during a media shoot over the weekend.

Born and raised in Woodbridge, Mark Ray began his career at Woodbridge Town before moving to AFC Sudbury at nineteen years-old. He scored 20 times for AFC Sudbury Under-21s in the 2014-15 season, but failed to push into the first team.

After a brief, injury-stricken spell at Whitton United, Ray re-joined Woodbridge Town in January 2016. He notched up 40 goals over the end of the 15/16 season and the 16/17 season, with the East Anglian Daily Times writing about his prolific goalscoring.

In the 2017-18 season, Ray was part of the squad that won the league and cup double, as Woodbridge Town claimed the Eastern Counties League Division One title and Suffolk Senior Cup

In April 2019, Mark Ray further established himself in Woodbridge Town history, reaching 100 goals for the club in a 4-1 victory over Ely City.

Ray continued with Woodbridge Town until the end of the 2022/23, amassing 164 goals in that time. Despite staving off numerous attempts to bring him back to Woodbridge, Mark Ray returns now with 200 in his sights.

"I got asked to come and help out for the remainder of the season and I had the itch to come back so thought, 'why not?'", Ray said, "With 10 games to go hopefully I can help out as much as possible, score a few goals and win some games."

A fan favourite for his charisma, bullishness leading the line and prolific goalscoring, we're delighted to welcome back a club legend.

Woodbridge Town Director of Football Carl Shemmings said, "It's an exciting time for the club and I can't wait to see Mark back in a Woodbridge shirt where he belongs."

Welcome back to Woodbridge Town, Mark!

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